Pilis Bike Klotildliget training loop (Kesztölc, Erika café P+B)

Itinerary:

• Follow the green cyclist pictogram to Szántó Saddle!

• At the saddle, after reaching the asphalt, switch to the blue cyclist pictogram and follow it to Klotildliget.

• The same applies in reverse when coming back.

Description:

Kesztölc - Szántó Saddle (PB12)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road

We leave Kesztölc on a ring-road with moderate traffic connecting to Klastrompuszta. The quality of the surface varies greatly, from mirror-smooth freshly laid sections to cracked potholes. We start a steady climb towards the monastery ruins. It's a rare exception that we can legally pedal here on the National Blue Trail route. Upon arriving at Klastrompuszta, take a short rest for the next section, because entering the forest we need to overcome a few hundred meters of steep, slightly technical terrain. Once past that, the route becomes easier again, continuing almost flat along the hillside. Essentially, we ride on a limestone gravel road, but on a longer section we cycle on a neatly smoothed route sprinkled with fine gravel. This section is a restful, calm part of our trip.

After the stone niche area, a stunning view unfolds towards Pilisszántó and its exceptional location. In ancient times, the settlement handled significant traffic as the Roman military road passed through here. A milestone placed beside the road in AD 230 commemorates this – it can still be seen next to the Roman Catholic church. A short detour in the settlement is worth visiting the Orosdy Castle built in 1895 along Kossuth Street – Orosdy Street. The repeatedly renovated building now operates as a pilgrimage hostel.

Besides numerous natural values, the mountain is also mentioned in a sacred context. Soon, like Dobogókő, Pilisszántó also became a pilgrimage site. To our left along the route hides the Rock Theatre among the trees. At its entrance stands the Wass Albert memorial and the Trianon memorial post. Above the hollow, on one of the rock ledges, from the 2016 winter solstice date, you can see the blessing Jesus statue. A few steps away is the Blessed Virgin Chapel designed by Imre Makovecz. From its forecourt, we get a wonderful panorama over the village view stretching to the Buda Hills. The Cross of Pilis rises above the building. On the Star Path inaugurated in 2007, carved columns recall the great figures of Hungarian history.

Szántó Saddle - Iluska Spring (PB6)

• Terrain: asphalt, gravel road

After reaching the asphalt, all we need to do is hold the brake lever, then easy rolling awaits us. After a few hundred meters of gliding, turn right towards the fields and cycle towards the forest! Here you should look back once more and say goodbye to the sight of the mountains. A longer climb follows where we pedal on a packed dirt road dotted with speed bumps towards Iluska Spring.

Iluska Spring - Klotildliget (PB7)

• Terrain: gravel road

Near Iluska Spring our route joins a similar cycling-only path coming from Pilisvörösvár. However, we turn right and continue, simply following the small blue cyclists painted on trees along the fence, then turning left. After leaving a constructed resting place, we just have to roll in to Klotildliget railway station.

Klotildliget - Iluska Spring - (PB7)

• Terrain: gravel road

If we are out of breath, we turn back to Szántói Street, which leads into the forest. We ride on a wide forest road among dense trees. A steep climb immediately ensures that after the rest we warm up again, but luckily we soon reach the top. Coming out to a similar dirt road, we turn right, then glide alongside a fence almost without pedaling. At the bottom of the slope, turn left and we are back at the intersection around Iluska Spring.

Iluska Spring - Szántó Saddle (PB6)

• Terrain: gravel road, asphalt

From here we roll further towards Pilisszántó where only the speed bumps stand in our way on the well-smoothed grader. Their function is twofold: partly they play an important role in drainage, and partly they prevent cycling too fast. Once reaching the forest edge, our route continues along a field. This is the place where it is worth taking out phones and cameras as we have a beautiful view thanks to Pilis, Hosszú Hill, and the Kevélyek. Continuing on a bumpy, rocky dirt road, we arrive in the center of Pilisszántó.

After a few minutes climb, the road continues on the left in a large stone parking lot, then we leave the asphalt toward the green cyclist sign. We jostle on increasingly rough ground on the side of the Pilis.

Szántó Saddle - Kesztölc (PB12)

• Terrain: gravel road, asphalt

Continuing the route, we pass by the lime burners’ well, which commemorates a now extinct craft passed from father to son. We turn northwest, where we will continue for quite a while. We cycle on the side of Pilis with the mountain towering on our right and Piliscsév, Pilisjászfalu, and their surroundings shaping the landscape on the left. We basically ride on dirt roads but can roll on surfaces improved with gravel over a longer section. The comfortable cycling ends at an intersection where the P mark crosses our path, but we keep our direction and descend decisively to reach Klastrompuszta. Rolling on asphalt, we find the settlement ahead and the monastery ruins on the left. From here, we just have to roll back on asphalt to Kesztölc and end our trip in the now familiar small settlement center.